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What do you feel you will do going into next year that you hadn't done in the past?

How do you apply all the knowledge you have learned up to this point and make next year the best ever?

In 2011, I 'fired' just about every client that I had, I didn't want anything to do with them because they made me so miserable. I figured it was the only option I had in order to redeem some sanity. ... It was mistake!

It was actually a real catch-22 scenario. I'd fire the client and have peace with myself, but I wouldn't have money coming in. I figured there has got to be another way, if only I had more time to think and wasn't so rushed!

Anyway, before 2012 started, I did what I could to write up a contract that even a 3 year old could understand. I made damn sure to protect myself against the problems I was facing in previous years. I demanded to have all the money up front, etc.

2012 was fantastic, my money troubles are finally over.

My biggest (seeming unsolvable) goal for 2013, is to learn a way to put my foot down when I disagree with a client. It's very easy to deal with a lot of them, but it's not easy to deal with the clients who actually hired me for ME, and not because my price is reasonable, or the quality is great.

The good news is, every year the amount of clients who make me rip my hair out not only decreases, but they convert into the ideal client.

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From what I've learned, I have to stop being afraid and trying to work around the awkward scenarios that my clients cause. I will always be trying to find a way to put the ball in their court, to make them look like the fool. Let THEM fix the crap that they start.

Dream Example:

Client: Can you be a dear, just trim my hedges since you're here already?

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In 2011, I 'fired' just about every client that I had, I didn't want anything to do with them because they made me so miserable. I figured it was the only option I had in order to redeem some sanity. ... It was mistake!

This is a very interesting point! Looking back now, what do you feel would be a better way to deal with such a situation?

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This is a very interesting point! Looking back now, what do you feel would be a better way to deal with such a situation?

I bet a lot of other readers are right now in the same boat.

Everyone in my town (no word of a lie) will always try to bargain, they are never happy with the price they pay for anything. If they agree to a price, and you don't have a contract, chances are they wont be paying you hahaha!

The past few years, I had to chase EVERY client for money, ALL of them gave me a hard time. I received every excuse in the book, and I was tired of it.

The trick was to force them to be 'good', by only accepting postdated checks upfront for the entire season along with a signed contract.

This is what my fine print says:

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It is understood by both parties that « COMPANY NAME » will, to the best of its abilities provide weekly lawn maintenance service for the client, which includes mowing of the lawn at a height of no less than two and a half (2.5) inches, trimming, and blowing of debris. To ensure proper service, the client must remove toys, construction debris, garbage, and dog feces from the lawn. The client understands that any cheques which have been deposited by « COMPANY NAME » are non-refundable. « COMPANY NAME » will deposit the clients cheque(s) on the dates which have been specified above. In the event that this agreement proves unsatisfactory, a 30-day written notice by either party may terminate the agreement.
« COMPANY NAME » may terminate the agreement at any time without notice for nonpayment of services.

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Very interesting insights. Now with all that being said, do you feel there are further steps that need to be taken to improve business functionality even more so?

When It comes to some clients, sometimes you really have to spell things out for them. Things need to be explained in a similar way as if you were explaining yourself to a 3 year old.

My contract and adverts send a clear message, but only to the larger percentage of my clientele. In 2013, I will have to simplify my wording even more to completely eliminate the few clients who remain confused and upset.

Even though there are only few of these clients remaining, they still pose a big threat when it comes to how they affect my morale. It's not easy to stay passionate with work, when your clients want to stomp all over you.

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I had already become picky with the clients I accept into my company, but It seems as though I need to raise the bar again. If I feel that a client can't handle the responsibility of making payments without suffering from buyers remorse - then they have no place with me.

I hate spending money too, but when it comes to utilities, there's just no point in wasting my breath. I've selected who to hire out of all these dime-a-dozen companies, and there's obviously a reason I've chosen one - knowing that, it's wise to just keep my mouth shut. - Other people need to start thinking like this.